Diversity at UVM

Becoming an advocate for cultural pluralism at UVM requires developing an understanding of UVM's history of diversity and its current diversity policies. This information will help you get a jump start.

UVM's History of Diversity

UVM's history of diversity stretches all the way back into the 19th century. To learn more, check out the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity and Multicultural Affair's diversity time line of UVM's history.

A Report from the Presidents Commission on Racial Equality

In February of 1998, President Ramaley asked Professor Donald Grinde, Director of ALANA/Ethnic Studies, to develop with appropriate faculty consultation, university-wide diversity competencies for all undergraduates upon graduation from UVM. The President also asked for an analysis of how the university and its colleges currently deal with diversity and multicultural education. The President directed that a faculty committee be formed in March 1998 and that the workings of that committee be merged with the PCORE Curriculum Committee when PCORE was appointed. President Ramaley requested that this work be completed by February 1999 to coincide with her office and the Faculty Senate. The following competencies and instructional analyses are the result of that yearlong exercise:

University-Wide Diversity Competencies for Undergraduates at Graduation
from UVM

A multidisciplinary appreciation of diverse cultures, communities, and histories that constitute U.S. society.

An understanding of U.S. traditions of democracy, active citizenship and how they may serve as a means to understand and resolve conflicts linked to race, class, ethnicity and gender issues.

An ability to describe the nature, historical patterns, and demographics of American society in terms of race, ethnicity, gender and class differences.

An ability to carry out an intellectual discourse with diverse peoples for the purpose of evaluating public policy and creating a shared future vision for American society.

The development of problem solving and analytical skills about diversity, while acquiring an understanding of the diversity of American culture.

A knowledge of the origins and systemic nature of prejudice, discrimination and oppression that has been directed toward people of diverse backgrounds and orientations.

A capacity to visualize and imagine public situations or issues involving diversity from multiple perspectives.

An understanding of the current experiences and issues in the United States of difference racial groups (including discrimination in all forms, life experiences of racial groups and white privilege).

An ability to think about race in the U.S. context of global diversity, patterns of prejudice, and equity.